New government of Gabon announced from abroad

LIBREVILLE: Gabon's prime minister announced a new government in a
video message recorded thousands of miles away in Morocco, where ailing
Gabonese President Ali Bongo is recovering from a stroke.

Recently appointed PM Julien Nkoghe Bekale gave details of the
reshuffle in footage broadcast late Saturday on state television,
less than a week after the country foiled an attempted coup.

Gabon has been without effective government for months since Bongo
suffered the stroke in October during a visit to Saudi Arabia.

A new cabinet was also announced on Saturday evening by
presidential secretary Jean-Yves Teale in another video missive
recorded in Morocco. No significant changes were made to either the
cabinet or the government.

Gabon's constitution states that ministers must take their vows
before the president — but in Bongo's lengthening absence it is
unclear how, when and where the ceremony will take place.

On Monday renegade soldiers stormed a state radio station to call
for an uprising while Bongo was abroad.

Security forces captured the rebel chief and killed two of his men
at the broadcasting offices in the capital Libreville, restoring calm to the
city after hours of upheaval.

However questions remain over the balance of power in the West
African nation where political change has been negligible for more
than half a century.

Brice Laccruche Alihanga, head of the cabinet since 2017 who is
reportedly close to first lady Sylvia Bongo, retained his post in
the new line-up.

Ali Bongo, 59, is the son of Omar Bongo, who became head of state in
1967 and died in June 2009, leaving a legacy of corruption
allegations.